''WERE GOING BANANAS!''
Developed: Nintendo
Published: Nintendo
Genre: 2D Platformer
Release Date: Jan 16th, 2025
Platforms: Switch
*GAME PROVIDED TO ME BY NINTENDO
Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is the latest port of a classic game last seen on Wii and it is developed and published by Nintendo. With this game having previously been released on three other systems, Nintendo decided, hey, everyone loves Donkey Kong, so lets re-release it once again, why not? But was it a wise decision to release this title in the twilight years of Switch? or should it be one of those titles best left to our nostalgia? Only one way to find out, so lets go ape!
''IS IT TRUE IF YOUR HEAD IS SHAVED THAT YOU LOSE YOUR POWER, DK? ''
GAMEPLAY:
Donkey Kong has been through a lot in the last decade, whether its getting a starring role in the Super Mario Bros movie, getting a revamped look in the potential Mario Kart 9 that we saw in the Nintendo Switch 2 trailer... which looking at him, what's wrong with his eyes, bro looking like he hasnt got an ounce of sleep since the days of stressing over catching his falling father after Mario tried to enslave him because Cranky was holding Pauline hostage. Chill bro, Mario is a nice guy now, even has his medical license, so rest easy ape boy, you're finally safe. Well.. I mean he's kind of safe, at least from those nightmares, but not from remasters and re-releases. Basically Donkey Kong saw Grand Theft Auto 5, Skyrim and Resident Evil 4 and was like ''hold my banana, I got this'' and then proceeded to release one of its more challenging platformers over the span of multiple consoles and their generations, each bringing slight tweaks or upgrades to the title. But before we dive in, lets just take a step back and go back in a time a fair bit to see where this actually started, shall we? Donkey Kong Country Returns first came onto the scene back in 2010, in which was the first real outing for our silly ape friend since 2004's Donkey Kong Jungle Beat, which of course was fun in its own right, but not really what fans were looking for in another full fledge Donkey Kong title. Lucky for us in 2010 with the release of Donkey Kong Country Returns on the Nintendo Wii, we got the game we were looking for giving us the nostalgia we craved many years ago with the original Donkey Kong Country trilogy back on Super Nintendo. This time in a brand new entry, Donkey Kong Country.... you know... returned. Yes I know the joke you're thinking right now after hearing that ''Somehow... Palpatine returned'', but throwing in ape boy instead. Yes if its fitting, obviously, but this was the revival we had hoped for and it was the first really true 2.D. platformer experience for good ol DK that gave us the classic Donkey Kong Country gameplay that we grew up loving. But the journey for this title didn't just go from Wii to Switch, nope, because it had stop gaps in between by finding its second and third homes on other Nintendo consoles and handhelds such as Nintendo Wii U and Nintendo 3.D.S - which by now I'm sure you're starting to get my earlier referencing saying this game was similar to other games that get 3 to 4 re-releases across multiple generations. Granted, it didnt pull a ''remaster'' of a game that is just only like 4 to 5 years old like SOME games have done.... you guys know who you are, but the wait between releases and re-releases feel somewhat justified, given that this game is an updated Wii title but with high definition graphics. Nintendo has had a good track record honestly this gen for remasters living up to their hype, so this version definitely piqued my interest to say the least.
For all 5 or 10 of you interested in the actual story of this game, which to be honest, there is one, yes, but are you really here for a story in a series that gains its reputation on masterful platforming? probably not, but there's a story none the less, for better or worse. Here in Donkey Kong Country Returns HD, the story revolves around the TikiTak tribe who go around with their music instruments and are one track minded on stealing DK's bananas that he hoards around and doesn't share with anyone like he's me with cheese its. Curse you David Blaine, CHEESE ITS!. I know that reference will go over your head, so I apologize. By hypnotizing local wildlife, the tribe tries to use them against DK to achieve their goal, but just like the Avengers have a Hulk, DK has a Diddy Kong, and with little Diddy Kong, you will navigate through a variety of environments and unique designs. Controls in this version of the game have been updated in comparison with the Wii version that relied on the Wii remote waggle to make yourself roll, and now instead, you can jump by pressing a normal conventional button for a better feeling and smoother feeling experience, similar to the way it felt on both Wii U and 3DS, basically more comfortable, less cumbersome. The opposite of playing a co-op game with me because playing with me is more cumbersome and less comfortable because out of nowhere, I'll pick you up and just throw you off a cliff... why? I don't know, perhaps I feel like it, sue me. But before I get to the positives this title has, which has many of them, I want to get the negatives out of the way since you start noticing them right away, rather than later on in the game like other titles have issues with mechanics like blowing that is mandatory in order to interact with certain elements, which is honestly pretty confusing to be honest. This was omitted from the games sequel, Tropical Freeze and this remaster and HD version comes even later after that, so why couldnt more modern tweaks be made to this version of the game that are in line with Tropical Freeze? it personally makes no sense to me, but its not a deal breaker overall like if you told me I couldn't adopt Kirby if he was real. DONT YOU DARE RUIN MY DREAMS. But those minor flaws pushed to the side and more on the positive end, Donkey Kong Country Returns HD remains just as good as it did on the Wii.
The game makes you immediately fixate on the games layout and structure due to its vibrant animation and the surprises that await you around every corner with the level variety ranging from stages that go from zero to 100 in intensity where your speed running skills are put to the test and your skill will prove vital to whether you die zero times for 50 times, it all depends on you, dont blame the game, were above that now, arent we?. Yes....were SO over it. Why will you die a potential amount of 50 times or more? simple, its because of the difficulty spikes that occur in this game that dont pull their punches and purposely attempt to kick your butt whenever it wants to, just like the classic trilogy did in its own right. Granted, if you're someone who prefers your hand held like in a Kirby game, like South Park says, YOURE GOING TO HAVE A BAD TIME and you possibly might be irked or deterred from wanting to play because this game dont play. Okay Okay, stop your whining kid, you're making my ear drums bleed just like Baby Mario in Yoshi's Island. For the people that have a tough time, Cranky Kong offers his help with his shop that provides you items to aid you in your quest, along side a new difficulty setting that gives you an extra piece of health for both DK and Diddy that makes things just a tad bit more easier, but not by a whole lot... better than nothing I guess, small change can definitely be a good change for the more casual player or even your children. Swinging, bouncing, throwing items, riding mine carts all feels amazing and alongside the addicting soundtrack, makes each level bob your head to beat and time your jumps appropriately to the beat, even if doesnt call for it. Isn't that right Donkey boy? D.K. YOU JERK!. Besides bringing in a new modern difficulty and tweaks to the controls, does this HD version offer any more incentive for you to purchase this game once more on Switch? It sure does. In this HD remaster, the newer content comes from the 3DS version of the game that adds in addition levels and upgraded models for both Diddy and DK. The newer levels serving up both a great time, but also a very challenging one as well, easily taking a normal playthrough of the title from around 8 hours and now with the newer levels implemented, makes that experience rise to around 11 to 12 hours of gameplay. Pretty good for a 2010 remastered title if I do say so myself. But before we wrap things up..... REVENGE TIME. AhHhHhHh. Looks like im blasting off again! (bad DK, hes a jerk).
''SERIOUSLY, WHO LEAVES THIS MANY BANANAS LAYING EVERYWHERE?''
OVERALL:
At the end of the day, Donkey Kong Country Returns does end up a good time, but with some flaws thrown in here and there that cuts at the seams. For example there's some issues with sound mixing messing up here and there or random glitches that get in the way of some of the better looking visuals, occasional frame rate drops during boss fights even though most of the game runs at 60 fps, are just some of the highlights of the issues with the game, but nothing too major if I'm going to be honest. However even with the negatives, Donkey Kong Country Returns HD invites you back to a very nostalgic experience that is both fun and frustrating, clever level design, variety of environments that all feel unique, boss fights that keep you guessing, new levels added from the 3DS version to increase gameplay longevity, etc etc, its just a blast. Now the real question is should you buy it if you already own or played the previous editions, honestly that's a tough one. Do I feel a platform of this caliber is worth its price, absolutely, but unless you're super a hardcore DK fan or just want pretty graphics, then it might not be for you. But thinking about people that have NEVER played this title before, then I definitely recommend picking up and giving it a try, I don't think you'll regret it, flaws and all. So with all that having been said, my verdict is clear, GameNChick says BUY NOW
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